The purpose of this course research guide is to acquaint you with some of the resources in the University Library and on the World Wide Web useful for your research. Should you have questions, stop by the Reference Desk on the first floor. You may also call the Reference Desk at (334) 229-4110 during the hours the Library is open.

Journal Articles

The best method for finding journal articles is to use one of the Library's online article databases. For additional information on those listed here and for others, explore our list of databases. The databases are easily accessible off campus by clicking on the database name and typing in the information requested. If you need additional assistance with accessing the databases off campus, contact Cedric Davis at (334) 229-6998.

Not all of our databases provide access to the entire text of articles. If the text of an article is not available in a database, try the following:

• Serials Solutions (ASU) - to determine if the article is available in another online database.
• HORNetCat - for journals to which the Library subscribes. Journals are housed in the Serials Department on the third floor.
• Interlibrary Loan - to order those articles not available in the Library or via a full-text database.

Education Databases

• ERIC (ASU) (AVL)
• Professional Collection (ASU)
• Professional Development Collection (ASU) (AVL)
• Wilson Education Full Text (ASU)

Other Databases

• Academic Search Premier (ASU)
• Expanded Academic ASAP (ASU) (AVL)
• InfoTrac OneFile (ASU) (AVL)
• Wiley InterScience (ASU)

ERIC Documents

The ERIC Document collection includes a variety of items pertaining to education. These are arranged by clearinghouses, which specialize in specific areas of education. ERIC documents are located on the Library's third floor in the ERIC microfiche cabinets. Many ERIC documents dating from 1993 to the present are full text through the EDRS database.

• EDRS: ERIC Document Reproduction Service (ASU)
• ERIC (ASU) (AVL)

Books

Explore the following options for books located in the Library, online, and in other libraries. If you find books not available in the Library or online, you may request them through Interlibrary Loan .

• HORNetCat
• netLibrary (ASU)
• WorldCat (ASU) (AVL)

Dissertations

As with periodical articles, ERIC documents, and books, today's technology also makes the full text of many dissertations available online. Digital Dissertations (ASU) provides the full text of dissertations from 1997 to the present. You'll also find information on dissertations starting with 1861 and master's theses beginning with 1988.

Government Information

Federal and state governments publish a plethora of information on many topics. Although the University Library is not a depository for government documents, you can request documents through Interlibrary Loan. You may also visit the Library at Auburn University Montgomery, which is a depository.

Federal Government

• GPO Monthly Catalog (ASU) (AVL)
• GPO Access
• U.S. Department of Education
• The Condition of Education
• National Library of Education

Alabama Government

• Alabama.gov
• Alabama Department of Education

Citing Your Sources

You will use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to cite your sources. A copy of the Manual is available at the Reference Desk on the first floor of the Library. Additional assistance with citing electronic publications is available from the APA online site or you may use the interactive Web tool Citation Machine at http://citationmachine.net/.

Your Comments

Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think about this guide. Has it helped with your research? Do you have any suggestions for improving the guide? You may e-mail Marsha V. Taylor at mvtaylor @alasu.edu or call her at
(334) 229-6839 with your comments and suggestions.